The novel Efuru is written by Flora Nwapa. Nwapa is the first Nigerian and Igbo woman who to write a novel upon the Igbo female. The Igbos are one of the three major tribes of Nigeria, inhabiting Anambra, Imo and Edo states. There have been prominent male novelists who were Igbos and wrote in English. But, the male writers rarely included the females. Nwapa, atlast breaks the silence. She arose in response to consolidation of male authorship. She adds to the beginning of the new knowledge upon Igbo women with Efuru.
Key words: Efuru, Igbo, female,
Ever since independence of Nigeria, there were dominant male writers and they penned books with men as the protagonists. Gender issues were yet not taken up fully, until the publication of Efuru in 1966 by Flora Nwapa.
Flora Nwapa was born in 1931 in Oguta, Nigeria. She began her career as an author with the publication of Efuru. She followed with her second novel, Idu, in 1971. All through out her life, Nwapa remained as an educator teaching at colleges and universities around the world, including among others, New York University, Trinity College, University of Minnesota, University of Michigan and University of Ilorin. She died in 1993.
Discussion:
The protagonist is Efuru. Efuru like the contemporary woman wants both career and family. She was married to Adizua and Gilbert. Incapacity to have children destroys her attempts to get a family. She goes to the lake goddess Uhamiri to bless her with children. But, she remains unrewarded by the Mami Wata. Eneberi marries Nkoyeni.
The male writers in Nigeria did not give adequate space to the females. In the world of truth commissions today, Nwapa has her own way to enquire into the lives of Igbo female via her book. Flora Nwapa is considered the first women writer to represent the Igbo females.
The concept of the Igbo female is usually linked to the concept of community. As seen in Efuru, marriage and motherhood play most important role in the lives of the Igbo woman. The motive of marriage is to beget children from the wife. The expectations of the relatives, neighbours and friends too seem the same. Adizua’s family thought why he should not marry another woman since, according to them, two men do not live together. To them, Efuru was a man since she could not reproduce.
The novel also shows how Efuru has the freedom to choose her husbands by her own. Both Adizua and Gilbert are first agreed upon by Efuru herself.
Women are expected to earn among Igbos, unlike the western females, who have no such original practices. Efuru and Adizua traded in yams. Adizua’s mother confessed that Nwashike Ogene’s daughter Efuru brought luck to their family.
Ogea is nearly adopted to look after Efuru’s daughter, Ogonim. The other women folk remind that Ogea was girl, and as the latter has to marry one day, she should be brought up well and be taught cooking.
Efuru knew that her husband was seeing another woman. She was not objecting to his marrying a second wife, but “I do object to being relegated to the background. I want to keep my position as the first wife, for it is my right.” (53)
Efuru remembers that Adizua treated her “the way that only slaves are treated. God in heaven will judge us.” (58)
“If Adizua does not love me any more, I too will try to learn not to love him any more. It will be a difficult task but it is not impossible,” (58)
Adizua’s father too did similar to what he was doing to Efuru. For a long time, she heard nothing from him and they almost begged for food. Her sister, Ajanupu, and their mother gave her some money and she started a small trade in fish. Azidua’s father came after some months after contracting a disease. She took him to the dibia and found that he annoyed the ancestors. Soon he died. His brother wanted to marry her. She refused to marry and lived in the same house. Efuru, unlike her mother-in-law decides to go back to her father.
Marriage to the Igbo female is like picking a parcel from numerous parcels. If one is lucky one picks up a valuable one. It is necessary evil for all. About motherhood, Efuru too did not want to be called the “male woman’’. The Igbo women commented upon Efuru and Gilbert that happy marriages without children cannot be eaten.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of the text?
The text discusses Flora Nwapa's novel Efuru and its significance in representing Igbo women in Nigerian literature, particularly in contrast to the male-dominated literary landscape of the time.
Who is Flora Nwapa?
Flora Nwapa was a Nigerian author, considered the first woman writer to represent Igbo females. She is known for her novel Efuru (1966) and Idu (1971), which explores themes of marriage, motherhood, and the role of women in Igbo society.
Who is Efuru?
Efuru is the protagonist of Flora Nwapa's novel of the same name. She is a woman who desires both a career and a family. Her story explores the complexities of marriage and motherhood, and her challenges within Igbo societal expectations, particularly regarding childbearing.
What are some key themes explored in Efuru?
Key themes include the role of marriage and motherhood in the lives of Igbo women, the expectations of the community, female agency in choosing husbands, women's economic activities, and the impact of infertility on a woman's status.
How does the novel portray the role of Igbo women in marriage?
The novel portrays marriage as a crucial aspect of an Igbo woman's life, often tied to the expectation of bearing children. The text highlights the pressures and judgments women face when they are unable to conceive.
What does the text say about Efuru's freedom to choose her husbands?
The text emphasizes that Efuru had the freedom to choose her husbands, Adizua and Gilbert, indicating a level of female agency within the Igbo social structure.
How are women depicted in terms of work and earning?
Unlike Western females, Igbo women are expected to earn. The text mentions Efuru and Adizua trading in yams, showing women's active participation in the economy.
What is the significance of community in the novel?
The text highlights the importance of community in Igbo society and its impact on individual lives. Community expectations and support systems are shown to heavily influence marriage, motherhood, and social standing.
What challenges does Efuru face in her marriages?
Efuru experiences challenges related to infertility, her husband's infidelity, and the societal pressure to have children. The text explores her emotional struggles and her attempts to maintain her position and self-worth in the face of these difficulties.
What do other women in the community think of Efuru's marriages?
The Igbo women comment on the inability to have happy marriages without children.
What is the significance of Camwood (Ufie) in the Igbo community?
Camwood is used to dye clothes. When applied to the body, it is used to smooth the skin, and when the face is coated, it is referred to as iziziani. The text references it in reference to mother-in-law, Ajanupu, gets the camwood, iziziani ufie awusa on Nkwo day for Efuru.
- Quote paper
- Mumtaz Mazumdar (Author), 2011, Discussion about "Efuru" by Flora Nwapa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/177787
